(Un) Intelligent Design Debate

The U.S.A. is the most amazing of all in that it harbors ignorance like no other. Bend's daily paper published an "In My View" June

The U.S.A. is the most amazing of all in that it harbors ignorance like no other. Bend's daily paper published an "In My View" June 3 titled: "Intelligent design (ID) should be tolerated in public school!" The author, Sarah Anderson, has apparently been living in a cocoon since the Dover Pennsylvania trial of Kitzmiller v. Dover, 2005. Biochemist Michael Behe, the guru of ID, conceded under oath at the trial that ID was God-based. The court ruled that "ID" was "thinly veiled religion," unsuitable for public schools and unconstitutional!

She starts with the usual mocking of the theory of evolution. Evolution is a proven theory with overwhelming evidence and "has been confirmed to such a degree, by observation and experiment, that knowledgeable experts accept it as fact" (National Geographic, Nov.2004.) Her belief doesn't change that fact!

She errs in what happened to Sister's teacher Kris Helphinstine. He was not fired for "presenting scientific information opposed to evolution" (does any exist?). He was fired for "presenting creationism" in his biology class (Bulletin, 3-20-07). There is no debate between science and mythology! Anderson suggests that ID is not a religion in spite of the fact that it's not founded in science. If, as she claims, "ID uses the same evidence as evolution," then wouldn't it be called "evolution?" ID lacks scientific evidence. Anderson finally got it right in her last paragraph: "ignorance is the enemy; blind adherence is the enemy." She's guilty of both! Scientist Daniel C. Dennett of Tufts University states: "The evidence for evolution pours in, not only from geology, paleontology, biography and anatomy, but of course from molecular biology...to put it bluntly but fairly, anyone today who doubts that the variety of life on this planet was produced by the process of evolution is simply ignorant!"

I'm glad she brought up the "Law of Biogenesis." But isn't it in dispute with God creating Adam out of dust? Biologist Harold Morowitz, George Mason University, says the mystery of life is answered by our metabolism - chemical reactions that turn energy and atoms into biologically useful molecules, involving 11 small carbon molecules - "the stuff abundant on the young Earth." Those 11 molecules perhaps developed amino acids, lipids, and genetic molecule. "Life is an elaboration of something very simple.

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The Source Issue 45 (Nov. 10) contained wonderful information about the forms of yoga offered in our vicinity. Most of the information covered pertained to the socially enjoyable forms of yoga enjoyed by the folks who use yoga mats and bendy posturing as they concentrate on improving their blissful breathing techniques. These physical forms of yoga are the beautiful compliments to the mental, mindful and meditative forms of yoga that balance the larger yoga (yogic) equation.
Yoga is basically a non-denominational practice aimed at balancing the physical (body) existence with the meta-physical (mind) reality. The ensuing mind-body balance creates the union required for an increased "understanding" (consciousness) of the "living experience."

In the time-honored American tradition of peaceful civil disobedience, I am proud to be one of eight Central Oregon citizens arrested on December 5 in Congressman Greg Walden's Bend office.
At our January 26 trial we plan to present a compelling defense.
This act of dissent follows years of futile attempts to encourage the Congressman to hold open, unscripted town meetings accessible to a majority of his constituents.
The Congressman has grown so suspicious of impromptu encounters with ordinary citizens that on Saturday he required a Bend Police Department intervention that enabled him to enter the Water Project meeting at the Chamber of Commerce through the back door. (Greg, we are nonviolent people who believe that democracy thrives on open dialogue and transparency; there is no reason to avoid us.)

I had to respond to "What's Wrong with Siri," (News, 1-4) since Apple's Siri isn't the problem.
Three hours before I read, "What's wrong with Siri," I went to a store in town and complimented the cashier that this was the nicest "dollar" store I had ever been in.